A powerful earthquake struck the southern Philippines on October 10, 2025, with seismic activity in Mindanao and tsunami alerts for nearby islands. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) initially recorded the main shock at magnitude 7.6 before lowering it to 7.4.
The quake was located off the coast from the municipality of Manay in the province of Davao Oriental, at a shallow depth that was able to enhance ground shaking.
In the hours that followed, a second quake, measured at between 6.7 and 6.8 magnitude, hit the same region, forming what PHIVOLCS described as a “doublet” event. Over a thousand aftershocks were recorded in the days after, some registering above magnitude 5.0.
At least seven people were estimated to have been killed as buildings collapsed, landslides struck, and infrastructure was damaged. The earthquake caused some injuries and left hundreds of homes in Davao Oriental and Caraga in ruins. Some of those who died were struck by falling structures as well as heart attack victims induced by the quake.
As a response, authorities issued tsunami warnings to the Philippines’ coastal provinces, as well as in Indonesia and Palau. Evacuation orders were issued, and residents in low-lying areas were urged to move inland or to higher ground. The warnings were lifted later once measured sea movements remained modest.
The disaster arrives just days after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Cebu, killing dozens and highlighting the Philippines’ vulnerability to seismic hazards along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledged swift rescue and relief efforts, mobilising national agencies and deploying search teams when conditions allowed.
While there are ongoing search and rescue missions, there are also officials involved in restoring the energy supply, removing debris and obstructions on highways, inspecting structural damage, and assisting families who are displaced. This accident underscores the need for resilience planning in earthquake-prone areas of the Philippines, despite the ongoing count.
